Old state highways, new council roads: Major changes for Porirua drivers

Friday, 27 April 2018

Demand on SH1 through Porirua is likely to ease once Transmission Gully opens so the NZTA and city council are proposing to adapt it to better suit the changing needs of the community. (File photo)

The Government must recognise the financial burden that looming large-scale changes to major roads in Porirua will have on the community, a city councillor says.

The New Zealand Transport Agency and Porirua City Council are planning to put sections of SH1 and SH58 through a revocation process that would see them change from state highways run by the NZTA into local roads run by the council once drivers have switched to using Transmission Gully after it opens in 2020.

The Whitby and Waitangirua Link Roads that will connect Porirua with the big Transmission Gully project. The project, which will be completed about 2020, will leave sections of SH1 and SH58 no longer needed as state highways.

Similar planning is already underway further up SH1 where Kapiti Coast District Council is forming a $25 million plan - including a $20 million contribution from the NZTA - to do a revocation of 13.5 kilometres of SH1 now that the Mackays to Peka Peka Expressway is complete.

Kapiti wants to improve accessibility between Paraparaumu and Waikanae, including improving connections between rail and bus hubs, and better cycling and walking options.

Transmission Gully road works, looking from Pauatahanui south towards Tawa. (File photo)

Demand on SH58 by Porirua is likely to ease once Transmission Gully opens so the NZTA and city council are proposing to adapt it to better suit the changing needs of the community. (File photo)

* Transmission Gully motorway could become user-pays

* Kāpiti expressway's 'ugly cousin' gets facelift

* Porirua to attract businesses and jobs through new 'front door' from Transmission Gully**

Porirua City councillor Ana Coffey said early negotiations were underway with the NZTA on what could happen in Porirua.

'However councillors past and present have consistently said the NZTA must recognise the financial burden any revocation will place on our community and we expect them to demonstrate an understanding of this when decisions are finalised.'

The sections are along SH1 from MacKay's Crossing down to Linden, and between the Transmission Gully interchange with SH58 at Pauatahanui and the SH58 intersection with SH1 at Paremata.

NZTA senior manager of project delivery Chris Hunt said the agency would 'significantly contribute' to the cost of maintaining the roads.

The agency already offered significant funding assistance to help cover roading costs at various local roading authorities such as Porirua City Council, Kapiti Coast District Council and Wellington City Council.